Opinion | Why Gained’t Congress Use Its Energy?

Loads occurred this week. “Melissa got here ashore like no different hurricane.” “Ordering the Pentagon to renew nuclear testing.” “Indiana is diving into the nationwide gerrymandering combat.” “Restructured right into a for-profit firm.” Right here’s one factor you shouldn’t miss. On Tuesday, the Senate voted to dam the tariffs that President Trump had imposed on Brazil, which had been contributing to increased costs on espresso, beef and bananas. So the president doesn’t actually have the ability to declare tariffs. Trump made it occur by declaring a nationwide emergency over the summer season. “What do you consider once you consider an emergency? You consider a warfare, a twister, a famine. You don’t consider commerce coverage.” However what’s outstanding right here is the Senate vote, which was 52 to 48. Meaning 5 Republicans joined the Democrats to dam Trump’s tariffs, which makes you marvel: If these Republicans can stand as much as Trump’s tariffs, why aren’t they displaying spine on stopping thousands and thousands of Individuals from going hungry? “SNAP advantages for thousands and thousands of Individuals is about to be suspended.” Stopping well being care prices from spiking for 20 million Individuals. “Might see the worth they pay enhance by a mean of 75 p.c.” Stopping the navy from unilaterally blowing up boats and killing individuals when Congress hasn’t declared warfare. “That is the sixth boat the U.S. navy has struck in worldwide waters, killing no less than 29 individuals.” Utilizing their energy of oversight to stop abuse by federal businesses. “Federal brokers descending on a Halloween parade in Chicago.” The reply can solely be that congressional Republicans are OK with such issues, as a result of they’ve the ability to cease them they usually simply aren’t doing it. Keep in mind, the founders gave Congress a number of the most necessary powers of presidency, together with the ability of the purse, the ability of warfare and the ability to manage overseas commerce. They needed Congress to be probably the most dominant department. In the present day, it’s the weakest. However it’s their alternative. And the truth that the Senate discovered sufficient of a backbone to dam Trump’s tariffs solely exhibits how little they’ve carried out during the last 9 months. It’s true that what we’re seeing from the chief department may be surprising, however what we’re not seeing from Congress needs to be simply as terrifying.